K-State women’s soccer saved one of its best performances for last, putting together a record-setting offensive night in a 5-0 win over Utah on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Ute Field in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Wildcats (7-7-5, 2-7-2 Big 12) closed their 2026 season with their second conference win, tying the program record for wins in a season and setting a new mark with four road victories.
K-State also made history offensively, setting program records for goals in a Big 12 match with five and points in a conference match with 12. The Wildcats finished the season with 31 goals, 24 assists and 85 points, all new single-season program records.
Senior forward Rilyn Rintoul led the attack with two goals, while sophomore forward Gabby DeMers added a goal from the penalty spot. Lailah Benz and Adelle Francis also found the back of the net as K-State scored twice before halftime and added three more goals in the second half.
Rintoul opened the scoring in the 30th minute, working her way toward the six-yard box before sending a low shot into the bottom-right corner. Utah challenged the goal for a possible offside, but a video review upheld the score.
The goal marked Rintoul’s fifth of the season, setting a new career high. The senior doubled her total later in the match, finishing with her first career multi-goal performance.
K-State added to its lead just two minutes later after DeMers drew a penalty kick. The sophomore forward raced toward a long ball and attempted a shot before Utah goalkeeper Anna Solomon brought her down outside the box, stopping a scoring play. After Corbin initiated a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, officials awarded the Wildcats a penalty.
DeMers converted the attempt, sending the ball into the left side of the net to give K-State a 2-0 advantage. It was the Wildcats’ first penalty kick of the season and DeMers’ first career attempt. The goal was her seventh of the season, tying the program’s single-season record, while her 17 points established a new school record.
The Wildcats wasted little time extending their lead after halftime. Just over two minutes into the second half, Benz redirected a pass from freshman Lauren Moylan underneath the crossbar to make it 3-nil. Moylan earned her fourth assist of the season, moving into second place in program history for freshman assists.
Rintoul struck again in the 53rd minute, racing toward the goal before firing a shot past Solomon from 9 yards out. Her sixth goal of the season tied her for third in program history for goals in a single season. She also finished with 15 points, tied for second in program history.
“Rilyn came out flying tonight, and it was so fun to watch,” head coach Colleen Corbin said. “She has continued to be dangerous and cause problems all season, so I am really happy for her that she was able to see the ball hit the back of the net tonight twice.”
Francis capped the scoring in the 76th minute, beating a Utah defender to a service from Emerson DeLuca and tapping the ball into the right side of the net.
K-State finished with an 18-10 advantage in shots and put nine attempts on target. Goalkeeper Maddie Sibbing recorded four saves as the Wildcats secured the shootout.
The victory marked another milestone for a program that continued to establish new standards throughout the season. K-State set single-season records for goals, assists, points and shots on goal, while 11 different players scored at least once.
Corbin said the team’s ability to keep competing through the season’s challenges made Thursday’s performance especially meaningful.
“This was a challenging season filled with some awesome highs but also some very real adversity,” Corbin said. “The team always had a choice — to continue to show up and compete, or to throw in the towel and feel sorry for themselves — and tonight was a tangible showing of the team’s continued belief and love for one another.”
She said the team’s continued belief in one another throughout the season will leave the returners hungry to keep improving.
K-State finished its 11th season, second under Corbin, with its second consecutive overall record of .500 or better, giving the Wildcats momentum to carry into the offseason.
“We have seen tremendous growth in so many areas, and the records are just one small, tangible piece of evidence we have to show for it,” Corbin said. “There is so much to be proud of and still so much left to grow in and strive for. I am really grateful to the entire team and the work they put in this year. We are looking forward to what’s next as we head into the offseason.”
